Schwarzenegger says commutation was to help friend

[RandySF]

Former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger says he was helping a friend when he commuted the sentence of the son of a political ally.

Schwarzenegger reduced Esteban Nunez's sentence from 16 years to seven years on the day before he left office in January. Nunez, who is the son of former state Assembly speaker Fabian Nunez, had pleaded guilty in the 2008 stabbing death of a San Diego college student, 22-year-old Luis Santos.

The decision was criticized by prosecutors, fellow Republicans and Santos' family, and is now the subject of a lawsuit.

Schwarzenegger said in a Newsweek interview published this week that he understands the parents' anger and critics' condemnation.

The slain man's father, Frederico Santos Jr., said Schwarzenegger's comments confirm that his decision was political.


http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2011/04/19/state/n180857D53.DTL&tsp=1

[shanti]

1. he's pretty cavalier

isn't he? if it was his kid who was stabbed, i doubt he'd be so understanding!

[RandySF]

2. That he was helping a pal is no secret

What I would still get an answer on is why he did it without the legally required notice to the victim's family. Fabian Nunez was as sleazy as der Guvernator. This whole incident is a stain on both parties in Sacramento.

[Hannah Bell]

3. elected officials aren't supposed to help their friends with political favors, arnold.

it's called corruption.

[madmax]

4. I agree with all the above posts but,

he didn't make up a bullshit story the way every other elected official does after they leave office. Gotta give him credit for being honest. Ok, just a little credit.

We know that hardly anyone, if anyone is pardoned because their sentence was unjust or the evidence flawed.

Now I'll go hide for a few hours. :scared:

[RandySF]

5. It happens

You're right, there are quite a few in jail or death row who shouldn't be. But the Nunez kid admitted to the stabbing. He's stone cold guilty.